COMPOUNDS IN AS LITTLE AS A WEEK USING THE CURRENT SYSTEM. THE RAIN HELD OFF FOR THE OPENING MATCHES OF THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN OPEN. RICHARD GILES WAS ON HAND AS THE TOURNAMENT GOT UNDERWAY WITH A CINCINNATI CHARACTER. WESTERN AND SOUTHERN OPEN IS IN FULL SWING, BRINGING THE WORLD'S BEST TENNIS TO THE TRI-STATE. SOME OF THE PLAYERS MAY NOT BE RANKED IN THE TOP 40. THEY GET THEIR CHANCE TO WORK THEIR WAY INTO THE MAIN DRAW. FOR FANS THIS TOURNAMENT ALLOWS PERSONAL ACCESS TO THEIR FAVORITE PLAYERS. SERENA WILLIAMS. NADAL PUSHES THROUGH EVERY MATCH, EVERY TIME. THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IF YOU ARE A PROUD GRANDMA WATCHING YOUR GRANDDAUGHTERS EVERY SHOT. IT IS PRETTY SPECIAL TO HER. SHE ALWAYS LOVES THIS TOURNAMENT. SHE IS A HOMETOWN GIRL BORN HERE IN CINCINNATI. ORGANIZERS SAY THAT HOMETOWN CONNECTION AS PART OF WHAT MAKES THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN SO VERY SPECIAL. I WAS PLAYING ON THAT SAME COURT YESTERDAY. A SEE SOMEBODY DOWN THERE AND IT GIVES THEM A LOT OF HOPE. ON KIDS DAY THOUSANDS OF YOUNGSTERS WILL LEARN THE FUNDAMENTAL LOVE OF THE GAME THAT MAY ONE DAY BRING THEM BACK HERE TO CENTRE COURT. ANOTHER CINCINNATI KID TRIES TO QUALIFY AND PUT HER NAME IN LIGHTS ONCE AGAIN. RICHARD GILES, WLWT NEWS 5.